The 'Nexon Developers Conference 2026,' a knowledge-sharing event for the gaming industry hosted by Nexon, opened on the 16th. Running for three days until the 18th, the event features 51 sessions covering topics such as game design and data analysis, with a primary focus on artificial intelligence (AI). The opening remarks and keynote address emphasized the importance of human empathy and 'context capital' in the age of AI. Various side events, including a game art exhibition and interactive showcases, are also being held.

The 'Nexon Developers Conference 2026 (NDC 26)' officially opened on the 16th. This year's event is designed to share a wide range of practical industry knowledge, including real-world case studies of AI technology implementation.

The conference will run for three days until the 18th at the Nexon headquarters in Pangyo and the Gyeonggi Center for Creative Economy & Innovation. A total of 51 sessions across nine categories are prepared, covering the entire spectrum of the gaming industry, including design, operational expertise, and data analysis. All presentations are being broadcast live online via a YouTube channel.

In the core AI track, speakers are sharing specific examples of AI applied in actual development environments, as well as the trial and error experienced during technological transitions. Panel sessions featuring experts in various fields—such as development philosophy, sound production, and future industry outlooks—are also being held.

In his opening remarks, Lee Jung-hun, CEO of Nexon Japan, stated, "AI is a revolution in creation and computation that brings the cost of generating and analyzing information and content to near zero. We must stop trying to compete with AI and instead adopt a proactive, leading attitude by defining it as an excellent tool and means."

He continued, "AI excels at tasks with predetermined answers, but empathy and connection remain uniquely human domains. In an era where everyone holds the same tools, what sets us apart is our insight and judgment regarding what to create—and that insight and judgment come from a deep understanding of and empathy for our users."

He added, "As NDC is a place for learning and sharing insights and experiences, its value will only grow as technological change accelerates."

Nexon Korea Co-CEO Kang Dae-hyun, in his keynote address titled 'In an Era Where Implementation Becomes Easier, How Do We Compete?', diagnosed that "as AI rapidly lowers the barriers to implementation, the center of gravity in competition is shifting from the level of implementation to the depth of context."

Here, 'context' refers to everything accumulated around a game, such as the know-how and sensibilities honed by developers, the relationships and memories formed by users, and the culture of the community. CEO Kang named this asset, which can only be accumulated over time, 'context capital,' and proposed the 'compound interest of context'—which grows as contexts become more interconnected—as a key competitive advantage.